Taste This: Picnic with a View of Carneros at Viansa Sonoma Winery

Cool breezes, summer fog and the terroir make Carneros perfect for growing finicky pinot noir and chardonnay. Viansa Sonoma Winery, set atop a small hill at the entrance of the region, offers amazing views of San Pablo Bay and the Mayacamas Mountains. The winery also maintains 97 acres of wetlands making it an exceptional place to visit. And for Leslie, it’s a perfect place for a picnic.

Toasted butterscotch, baked pear, and crème brulee dominate the palate with just the perfect amount of acid to balance the viscosity. The finish is generous with mandarin orange, toasted almonds and baked shortbread. Viansa's Reserve Chardonnay is wonderful anytime with summer fare such as fresh seafood, and tropical fruit salad, to winter meals like creamy risotto or roasted winter squash. Drink now or cellar through 2018.